About DHHBA

Mission Statement

​The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bar Association (DHHBA) is a volunteer-operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of d/Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and DeafBlind attorneys, judges, law school graduates, law students, and legal professionals with all communication methods and accommodation needs. We support and encourage each other, provide advice and counsel, engage in advocacy efforts, host accessible events, educate others, conduct outreach, inspire change, and come together as an organization for the advancement of d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the legal profession.

Why Join DHHBA?

  • Access to a supportive network of fellow deaf and hard of hearing attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and law students around the United States.
  • Access to the DHHBA member-only listserv and receive updates on DHHBA events, employment opportunities, scholarship announcements, and other news.
  • Resources for accommodations and other issues facing deaf and hard of hearing attorneys, legal professionals, and law students.
  • DHHBA is the only bar association in the country dedicated solely to advancing employment and education opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing attorneys, judges, legal professionals, and law students.
  • Opportunities to work towards DHHBA’s goals by participating in DHHBA activities or develop leadership skills by becoming a DHHBA Board member or joining DHHBA committees.

2023-2024 DHHBA Board of Directors

President – Zainab Alkebsi

Vice President – Lisa Bothwell

Treasurer – Karma Quick-Panwala

Recorder – Janine Madera

Board Member at Large – Julie Kegley

Board Member at Large – Alison Ecker

Board Member at Large – Caitlin Parton

President Emeritus – Rachel Arfa

Gratitude to Azeema Akram, Taye Akinola, and Jessica Kennedy, who served on the 2023-2024 Board.

2021-2022 DHHBA Board of Directors

(Transcript available on YouTube and the DHHBA Blog)

President – Zainab Alkebsi

Vice President – Taye Akinola

Recorder – Sarah Weimer

Board Member at Large – Azeema Akram

Board Member at Large – Jessica Kennedy

Board Member at Large – Caitlin Parton

Board Member at Large – Debra Patkin

President Emeritus – Rachel Arfa

2019-2020 DHHBA Board of Directors

President – Rachel Arfa

Vice President – Debra Patkin

Recorder – Sarah Weimer

Board Member at Large – Zainab Alkebsi

Board Member at Large – Elizabeth Knox

Board Member at Large – Reema Bogin

President Emeritus – Anat Maytal

2014-2018 DHHBA Board of Directors

President – Anat Maytal

Secretary – Sarah Weimer

Treasurer – Mark Sorokin

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Liaison – Debra Patkin

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBell) Liaison – John Stanton

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Liaison – Reema Bogin